you can lengthen the front tab ..
you can use a longer bolt there with spacer..
and you can lower the rear hinge points..
all to get a wider tire in.

on tires that are large diameter ..eventually they will contact the steering
shaft on the driver's side ..
and you can't have that.

what I do not get about the after market spare tire carries I have seen is
that they don't protect the side of the tire...they're wide open.

it's obvious to me there's a need to protect the tire sideways under the van
, particularly in a syncro that might be bashing around sometimes.

Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "craig cowan" <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 6:18 PM
Subject: Re: 27 in tires in clamshell

> The person in question just wants to carry their spare.
> We have access to a late model clamshell but will need to modify. What's
> involved?
> We've spoken about the option of the vancafe "big tire" carrier bars.
>
> -Craig
>
>
> On Sat, Dec 17, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> 27 tires of any size  won't fit in a vanagon spare tire clamshell unless
>> they are super small.
>>
>> no, I don't think a 27 X 8.50 R 14 LT fit.
>>
>> there are at least two sizes of clam shell. I am quite sure it won't fit
>> in the early size...
>> for vans that used 185R14's and 197/75 R14's ...
>>
>> vans that take reinforced 205/70 R14 tires have a slightly dropped clam
>> shell that takes a larger tire.
>> but I don't think a 27 X 8.50 will fit in those quite either.
>>
>> Great Vanagon 14 iinch tire size though !
>> they're all LT's that I have seen ..
>> and a darn good vanagon tire for a 14 incher.
>> In 2WD you don't need a matching spare tire really. ...unless you just
>> insist on 5 well-matching tires.
>>
>> in Syncro ..
>> modify your clam shell to take that size.
>>
>> what's better  ? ,................clear communiation from a large box ..
>> or unclear communication from a tiny easily-carried one ?
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Cowan" <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 3:08 PM
>> Subject: 27 in tires in clamshell
>>
>>
>>
>>  Can 27in tires 27x8.5x14 be made to fit in the clamshell of a 2wd?
>>>
>>> -Craig.
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>
>>